Two-time defending state champion Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) edges Mainland (Daytona Beach) for top spot
Gainesville – Let the battle for No. 1 in the football Prep Zone Power Poll begin.
Two-time defending 3A state champion Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) and Class 6A state semifinalist Mainland (Daytona Beach) are Nos. 1 and 2 in the preseason regional rankings, but by the smallest of margins.
Trinity Christian, which begins the season in 3A ranked No. 1 in the AP state poll, received six of the 11 first-place votes and a total of 214 voting points. The Bucs, ranked second in 6A, received the other five first-place votes and finished with 213 total voting points.
The Conquerors (11-2), who defeated American Heritage (Delray Beach), 27-7, in last year’s state championship game, have won back-to-back state titles for the second time (2002-03) in their school’s history. However, no Jacksonville team has ever 3-peat.
Last season, both teams were nationally ranked. Mainland (13-1) was ranked No. 1 in the power poll for most of the season in 2014, but Trinity Christian finished on top after winning another state title.
Oakleaf (Orange Park) is ranked third. The Knights (12-1), coming off their first unbeaten season in school history and a three week run in the state playoffs, are ranked third in the Class 7A state poll.
Led by Hall of Fame coach Corky Rogers, the Bolles’ Bulldogs advanced to their fourth straight state championship game appearance. If the ‘Dogs (11-3) stay healthy they have a chance to play in their fifth straight 4A final. They are ranked fourth.
First Coast (Jacksonville) rounds out the top five at No. 5. The Bucs (12-1), who lost to eventual state champion Apopka, 64-48, in the 8A regional finals, drop down to 7A, where they are ranked 7th in the AP state poll.
Suwannee (Live Oak) is ranked sixth, followed by North Marion (Cira), St. Augustine, and South Sumter and Clay (Green Cove Springs) in the top 10.
The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, basketball, baseball & softball teams (regardless of FHSAA classification) across 26 counties in North Florida (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union & Volusia counties). It is voted on weekly by sportswriters and sportscasters.
Prep Zone Power Poll – 2015 Football Poll #1 PRESEASON
(School, followed by first-place votes, classification, 2014 final record, and total voting points)
1. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (6) (3A) (11-2) – 214
2. Mainland (Daytona Beach) (5) (6A) (13-1) – 213
3. Oakleaf (Orange Park) (7A) (12-1) – 194
4. Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (10-3) – 177
5. First Coast (Jacksonville) (7A) (12-1) – 157
6. Suwannee (Live Oak) (5A) (12-2) – 156
7. North Marion (Citra) (5A) (8-3) – 143
8. St. Augustine (6A) (10-2) – 132
T9 South Sumter (Bushnell) (4A) (11-1) – 123
T9 Clay (Green Cove Springs) (5A) (10-2) – 123
11. Raines (Jacksonville) (4A) (8-4) – 107
12. Madison County (1A) (9-4) – 87
13. Ed White (Jacksonville) (6A) (10-3) – 65
14. Gainesville (6A) (7-6) – 61
15. Dixie County (Cross City) (1A) (11-1) – 56
16. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (10-2) – 53
17. Trenton (1A) (10-2) – 49
18. University (Orange City) (8A) (8-2) – 27
19. Fletcher (Neptune Beach) (7A) (7-5) – 23
T20 Hamilton County (Jasper) (1A) (10-4) – 21
T20 DeLand (8A) (7-4) – 21
Also receiving votes: Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (7A) (7-4) – 19; Flagler Palm Coast (8A) (8-3) – 16; Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (3A) (9-2) – 16; Santa Fe (Alachua) (4A) (7-3) – 15; Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (8-3) – 11; Union County (Lake Butler) (1A) (9-3) – 9; University Christian (Jacksonville) (2A) (8-4) – 6; Ribault (Jacksonville) (5A) (7-3) – 5; Mount Dora (4A) (8-3) – 3; Buchholz (Gainesville) (7A) (4-6) – 3; Vanguard (Ocala) (6A) (4-6) – 3; Deltona (6A) (3-7) – 2.
